Sliding air jacks with 4 post lift, anyone use them?

[54stude]

I have a four post ALM 12k lb lift, with one rolling air bridge jack. and instead of buying a second similar jack, I have been thinking about buying a two or three bag sliding air jack for lifting cars up by the pinch welds for purposes of tire changing mostly. Anyone have one of these jacks? Any btdt or recommendations?

http://www.zendextool.com/rakjak/

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-3-Bag-Air-Jack

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/2-Bag-Air-Jack

There are other brands also.

 

[metaleltr]

the zendex is called rak jak because they are primarily used on frame racks for lifting cars onto pichweld clamps, they are unstable. they may work for what you want, but be careful

 

[jomobco]

I would invest in the second rolling jack if possible.

 

[ronr80]

Neat jacks , but pricey , I agree with above post , it would be safer with another rolling jack .

 

[54stude]

I have two cars that I do wheel and tire swaps on every spring and fall to snow tires, and that is what I thought the jack would be nice for, quick tire changes, not brake work or anything else. Maybe a short bottle jack would be better for less money...

 

[metaleltr]

This is the major advantage of a 2 post lift over your 4 post, too late now, but a 2 post can do everything a 4 post can do and you have the advantage of not having the wheels touching anything

 

[Rubber_Duc]

you have the advantage of not having the wheels touching anything

Not sure I would call that a major advantage. A 2 post can not do everything like store a vehicle long term, which is a major reason why a lot of people go with a 4 post, it is too hard on the suspension to leave it dangling on a 2 poster, just saying

The reason I went 4 post is because I like having the ability to get 2 cars in one garage space plus if I need to do suspension/tire work you just use the jack tray and get it up in the air, although not as convenient I'll admit.

 

[metaleltr]

no different than having a project car on jack stands long term, id rather not argue about it, but i believe any affects of dangling suspension are negligable

 

[c39er]

4 poster is much more pleasing to look at IMO.

 

[54stude]

The two vs four post argument is a waste of time. For me, a 4 post is better for 99.9% of what I do. From the time I am out if the drivers seat to the time the car is in the air, 10-20 seconds without having to stoop down to position arms. Your hoist, your choice...

 

[c39er]

I myself could really care less too.

 

[jomobco]

I have two cars that I do wheel and tire swaps on every spring and fall to snow tires, and that is what I thought the jack would be nice for, quick tire changes, not brake work or anything else. Maybe a short bottle jack would be better for less money...

Good idea. Maybe for the 2nd axle a jack tray and bottle jack? I would prefer that over air bags. Air bags just seem to me like too much to go wrong too fast.

 

[excavator]

I have 1 rolling jack and made this jack platform from heavy hitch that I use bottle jacks if I want to raise all 4

 

[54stude]

 

[matt01073]

we have a hunter rack with 2 rolling jacks that being said i also have a rackjack airbag jack . it was stated that they are unstable i dont really find that to be true and i use ours often mostly when i am putting a car on the frame machine on clamps but also if i want to remove one wheel or just take some weight off on side suspension on the alignment rack the jack is quite stable when inflated fully and is wobbly when the air pressure is low . I would in no way be working under a car on an airbag jack without a stand or blocking of some type . also if you do any welding the jack needs to be put away or it will be ruined as one pinhole and its done

 

[54stude]

we have a hunter rack with 2 rolling jacks that being said i also have a rackjack airbag jack . it was stated that they are unstable i dont really find that to be true and i use ours often mostly when i am putting a car on the frame machine on clamps but also if i want to remove one wheel or just take some weight off on side suspension on the alignment rack the jack is quite stable when inflated fully and is wobbly when the air pressure is low . I would in no way be working under a car on an airbag jack without a stand or blocking of some type . also if you do any welding the jack needs to be put away or it will be ruined as one pinhole and its done

Thanks! Great input!

 

[workhurts]

Side question. The instructions on my lift say to only use a rolling jack if the lift is bolted down. Do those of you with 4 post lifts and a rolling jack have it set up that way? I'd rather avoid bolting it down if I can. I'm guessing they suggest that if you are raising and lowering the lift with the car up on the rolling jack (which I wouldn't do) but who knows.

I have a jack plate that I was planning on using bottle jacks with and would then put jackstands on the runways themselves to keep the car up if I had to ever do any kind of wheel work.

 

[ronr80]

I love the 4 post lifts and when I changing tires for the season I lift up the front with the rolling jack , put 2 jack stands under the frame and move to the back , with the rolling jack , it's a bit more work but it's safe , been doing this for years . Ron